The Walking Dead Photo Reveals First Look At Pregnant Michonne

Things are seriously beginning to heat up for AMC’s The Walking Dead.

With season 9B well underway, and Daryl Dixon in the middle of a full-blown standoff with Beta, the zombie drama is enjoying something of a ratings boon – albeit a small one – and next week’s installment will surely turn heads and raise eyebrows.

Why, you ask? Because it’ll offer us our first glimpse at a pregnant Michonne, who is seen wandering the wasteland with nothing but her katana for company. We know Danai Gurira’s series veteran fell pregnant during 9×03, “Warning Signs,” where she agreed to build a walking, talking legacy with the late Rick Grimes. It’s a poignant moment, and one that Gurira welcomed with open arms.

“When [showrunner] Angela [Kang] told me we were going to do that — first thing, I was stunned, because I never expected that to be where we would go,” said the actress. “But I thought it was very beautiful, about the idea that he left her with their son. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s beautiful, because there’s a new little Grimes.”

Series showrunner Angela Kang recently justified the decision to bring baby Richonne into the picture, after she drew comparisons to real-world conflicts, and how they ultimately trigger a baby boom of optimism and hope. The Walking Dead, it seems, is no different. Okay, it’s a little different…

Here’s the official logline for episode 9×14, “Scars”:

‘Scars’ will explore some of the six-year time period skipped over in the wake of Lincoln’s final episode in November, where a wounded Rick was rescued by Anne (Pollyanna McIntosh) and flown away in a helicopter, leaving behind Michonne, daughter Judith (Cailey Fleming) and, nine months later, son RJ (Antony Azor).

The Walking Dead returns Sunday, March 17th with “Scars,” and you can catch the latest previews and behind-the-scenes featurettes for AMC’s undead flagship down below.